In the following guide, I will explain all you need to know about Great Danes and cold weather. It includes tips on how you can keep your Great Dane warm in the winter months, plus advice on safety to keep them healthy and comfortable.

Why Great Danes don’t tolerate cold weather

You might wonder; do Great Danes get cold? The answer would be yes, Great Danes do get cold in winter. It’s said that a temperature below 40-45F is too low for Great Dane. At low temperatures like this, their bodies lose heat quickly.

Their short coats don’t help either, as this means they feel the cold more with not as much winter protection as a longer-haired dog would have.

In simple terms, Great Danes have not been bred to be outdoor dogs. Being sensitive to cold, they can become dehydrated and suffer with hypothermia in dangerously low temperatures. Like other dogs this size, they are breed that you really need to take special care of in cold winter temperatures.

Signs your Great Dane is cold

There are some common symptoms that hint your dog is suffering in cold weather. If you see your Great Dane suffering with any of these, you should make them warmer and in some cases seek professional advice.

• Your dog refuses to go outside.
• Your dog starts to make a nest, for example pulling at blankets or burrowing in bed.
• Your dog has the shivers.
• Your dog appears to be lethargic.
• Your dog lifts their paws off the ground when outside.
• Your dog is barking or whining.

During very cold weather, Great Danes can even get frostbite and hypothermia. The latter is a deadly condition that results in blood no longer circulating round the dog’s body, weakness, stiff muscles, and eventual slowed heartbeat and kidney failure.

Signs of hypothermia include:

• Shivering and trembling.
• Slowing down, lack of movement, and trouble walking.
• Cold skin and fur.
• Slowed down heart rate.
• Dilated pupils.
• Blue or pale gums and inner eyelids.
• Breathing problems.

That all sounds very serious, but providing you look after your Great Dane properly in the cold winter months, you should have nothing to worry about.

However, even when you do take special care, your Great Dane might develop some of the less serious symptoms. For example, your Great Dane could actually catch a cold. I have described canine cold symptoms lower down the page, so you know what to look out for.

Handy Hint: Ever wondered why dogs love rolling in snow so much? I put a guide together which explains dogs love affair with snow.

How cold is too cold for a Great Dane?

There will be a point when the winter gets too cold for a Great Dane. The temperature that is too cold for Great Danes is around 4 degrees Celsius (40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit). This can be too cold, and if combined with wet weather, or with older dogs or puppies, the danger is increased.

If your Great Dane is lifting their paws off the ground, then it’s obviously way too cold for them. At this point, it’s too late, so check out the infographic below which shows what temperature your Great Dane should be comfortable at.

Once the temperatures creep into the green and blue numbers, it’s too cold for your Great Dane, and means their health could be in danger.

Handy Hint: It’s not possible for dogs to catch a cold or flu from a human owner so don’t be too worried when you have a runny nose.

How to keep your Great Dane warm in cold weather

Here’s what you need to do when temperatures start to drop, and how you can keep your Great Dane warm in cold weather. It also includes suggestions for walking in the cold, snow, and ice, and what items you should buy to help keep your Great Dane warm.

1. Winter health check

Older dogs are far more prone to suffering in the cold weather, as are young puppies. Low temperatures can bring on illnesses quicker and affect an existing medical condition.

When the temperatures start to drop before winter, make sure you take your Great Dane to the vets to get a health check. They will be able to identify anything that could get worse as it gets colder.

2. Move their bed and supply more bedding

Temperatures drop lower during the night, and this is when your Great Dane could be at their coldest. Think about where their bed is and whether it could be moved into a warmer position; for example, is it next to a door or near a draft? Is he scratching the bedding to make a warmer spot?

You should also consider giving them some more bedding and blankets to keep them warmer. Your Great Dane will be able to make a warm nest at night and get all cosy… but don’t let them get too warm as this can also have a negative effect.

3. Don’t overfeed your Great Dane in winter

Most people tend to walk their dogs less during the winter. The combination of the lower temperatures and dampness are enough to put most people off.

Of course, that means your Great Dane won’t be getting as much exercise as before, so you might want to consider how much you feed them to avoid weight issues.

Keep your Great Dane’s weight at a sensible weight. Whilst “feeding a cold” does have some validity to it, with more food keeping their energy levels up, it’s a fine balance.

4. Make sure their drinking water isn’t too cold

Keep an eye on how cold your dog’s water is. Water that is too cold can make dogs ill, including exacerbating exiting cold symptoms and giving them a sore throat.

Make sure their drinking water isn’t freezing over if left outside and leave their bowl near a warmer place inside of the house. If you do leave water outdoors for them, here’ s how to stop it freezing over in winter.

Also think about the water coming through your tap. If the pipes are near frozen, cold water will be too cold, so run tepid water instead into their bowl.

5. Don’t go for walks when it’s too cold

Your Great Dane might be begging to go outside, but exercise a commonsense approach. If it’s too cold outside, use up some of their energy indoors.

With our dog, we play with him using a laser pen which he chases up and down the kitchen until he’s puffed out. It keeps his fitness levels and weight in check, and means we don’t have to go outside when it’s too cold for him.

6. Use potty training pads indoors

When it’s too cold for your Great Dane to even go outdoors and pee, you need a solution. I’d recommend puppy pad. They work just as well with adult dogs.

You can buy a large packet of them on Amazon. Your dog is bound to remember how to use them, so should be ideal in cold winter weather.

7. Always use a collar and chip

Wintertime is one of the riskier times of year for dogs to get lost. With those dark evenings, possible snow, and their reaction to the unusual environments, dogs will often wander.

If you are taking your Great Dane for a walk, and it’s not too cold, make sure they have a collar and chip on so they can be easily identified.

8. Buy a winter jacket for your Great Dane

In recent years there has been an explosion of Great Dane accessories and clothing lines. Most are a bit gimmicky, but in cold weather, they are essential for winter walking and paw protection. Here are a couple I recommend.

Kuoser Dog Winter Coat (on Amazon)

This one has luxurious Sherpa lining to keep your Great Dane warm this winter. You could buy a different coat to this with cargo pockets in it, although not sure what your dog will want to carry? Perhaps some small treats?

Pajamas for your Great Dane (view on Amazon)

This will keep your Great Dane warm during cold winter months when indoors, and offers a snug fit.

Before you buy, make sure you measure your dog up properly. There is information and prices on the Amazon page (click the photo below).

Didog reflective winter coat

My third recommendation is the Didog winter jacket. What I like most about it is the reflective material. This should help you see your dog on a dark winter’s night and also ensure cars see them before it’s too late.

It’s just as warm as the Gooby, it’s all down to personal preference on what you buy. Keep your Great Dane warm this winter just like others have done.

9. Don’t forget winter paw protection

You should be looking at your Great Dane’s paw during the winter months to check for cracks and wounds. Paws are very susceptible to cold weather and ice, and can deteriorate very quickly, becoming painful – with even the possibility of frostbite!

You can buy winter boots for Great Danes on Amazon. Here’s a quick Amazon recommendation to check out.

10. Trim nails to stop skidding and injury

If you don’t think it’s cold enough to buy winter boots, you should still maintain your Great Dane’s paws in winter, and in particular their nails.

Longer nails and claws won’t have the right traction on ice and compacted snow, and if not trimmed down could lead to slipping and injuries.

11. Avoid street salt and chemicals such as anti-freeze

During icy weather, humans tend to put salt and chemicals on the roads and pavements to stop vehicles and people slipping. Whilst this is ok for us, on doggy paws that are not protective, it can be painful – the same goes for chemicals like anti-freeze which could be split.

This is a risk with Great Danes that are not wearing adequate have paw protection in the winter.

12. Don’t let them eat snow

Your Great Dane is almost guaranteed to love seeing snow for the first time. It’s an unusual feeling for them, so they will probably want to roll about in it.

Dogs being dogs, they will often want to eat snow too. It might seem cute, but it could make them ill if it has urine, poop, or chemical traces in it. Don’t let your Great Dane eat snow, it could make them ill in the cold weather season.

13. Don’t let them get wet

The biggest risk to your Great Dane’s health in cold weather is when the cold combines with damp. It can cause hypothermia or in less serious cases, cold symptoms.

After a walk or play in the snow, make sure you towel them down properly, even using a hair dryer if they will let you.

Check for snow stuck into their fur and paws as this will quickly turn to cold water once you get back indoors, making their bedding damp too.

14. Don’t leave them in your car

Everyone knows how fatal cars can be when it’s hot, but it’s equally true in winter too. A cold car can be a killer so don’t leave your beloved Great Dane in your car or truck.

15. How to keep a Great Dane warm at night

I’ve already touched on a few ideas on how to keep your Great Dane warm in winter, some of which can be used at night too. I wanted to offer a few more tips here as well, as once night falls, the temperature will drop.

• Place their bed away from doors, drafts and out of cold rooms.
• Use a (not too) hot water bottle.
• Use a bed that is raised off the floor to avoid the cold floor.
• Perhaps let them sleep with you in your bed.
• Put more blankets than usual in their bed
• Position their bedding in doughnut shaped ring for them to get warmer in.
• Don’t let them sleep too close to a radiator or heat source.

Handy Hint: Here are some tips you can use to keep your dog warm at night when sleeping inside or outside the house.

Great Dane cold symptoms

As you will now know, Great Danes can get colds. If you think your Great Dane is ill during cold winter weather and low temperatures, it could be a slight cold.

Like humans, the first sign might be a little sniffle and sneeze here and there.

But, just like us again, the symptoms can soon develop into a more serious illness if not treated appropriately.

Once that happens, your Great Dane could get a more serious winter illness such as dehydration, hypothermia, or even pneumonia. With that in mind, it’s important to recognise the cold and flu symptoms in your Great Dane before it gets too serious.

Here’s what you should always be on the lookout for:

• Runny nose and nasal discharge.
• Runny or watery eyes.
• Sneezing.
• Wheezing or wet-sounding cough.
• Lack of appetite.
• Shivering.
• Warm ears.
• Trouble breathing normally.
• General lethargy.

Handy Hint: Here are some tips you can use to keep your dog warm at night when sleeping inside or outside the house.

Should you worry about slight sniffles?

Almost every Great Dane will have a cold symptom once in their lifetime, with the winter being the prime season for it. In the main, some sniffles here and there, or wetter nose than usual isn’t something to worry too much about.

When you should be concerned would be if your Great Dane starts to cough in winter. This will need immediate vet support, as it could lead to a chest infection in the cold weather.

You can do your own check; put your ear to your Great Dane’s chest. It should sound clear but rattling and gurgling is a sign of possible cold and mucus on the chest area.

Some dog owners try to treat their Great Dane’s cold without the help of a vet. I don’t recommend it, but the ones who do use a canine nebulizer. More on that in a moment.

How to treat a Great Dane with a cold

Here’s how to treat a Great Dane cold. Please note though, this should not replace professional vet’s advice and is purely tips I have found after researching online, plus reading vet comments on trusted web forums.

1. Encourage fluid intake

Dehydration is a risk I winter cold weather, so your Great Dane needs to be taking on enough fluids to stave off any risk. But of course, when dogs are sick, sometimes it’s hard to get them to drink, so you could try adding chicken broth to the water bowl.

2. Add extra nutrition to their food

Your Great Dane might also have lost their appetite due to the cold and can quickly start to lose their strength. Try changing them into something like boiled chicken with brown rice for added nutrition, or a different taste to encourage them taking on more calories.

3. Feed extra dietary supplements

You can also try adding some supplements into the food to help cure the cold symptoms. These can include items such as coconut oil, cinnamon, and honey. The experts say that these supplements can help Great Danes recover from colds as they will help to improve the immune system and can also act as a natural cough medicine.

4. Limit outdoors time and maximise rest

Limit their physical activity and don’t let them outdoors into the colder temperatures. The only reason they should go outside is for toilet breaks – but if you can, switch to puppy pads indoors.

5. Love and affection

What’s the one thing that made you feel better when you had a cold as a kid? It was cuddles and affection from your parents… and some Great Danes can be the same. See if they want close up love or need their space – they will all react differently.

6. Hot water bottle

If they don’t want you getting close to them, you could heat up a water bottle and put it in their bed. Not too warm of course, but enough to raise their temperatures to a comfortable level.

7. Dog nebulizer

Before writing this article on Great Danes and cold weather, I didn’t realize you could use nebulizers on dogs. However, a vet told me that some owners will manage their dog’s cold themselves using one of these.

8. Steam vaporizer

Just like us, steam vaporizers can help to clear your Great Dane’s bronchial tubes and help relieve many Great Dane cold symptoms, making them breathe so much easier. Put it close to their bed, but not so they can knock it over.

9. Apply Great Dane nose balm

Great Danes can get cracked and dry noses in winter cold weather, or it can go the other way, with their nose starting to run. For cracked and dry skin, you should try dog nose butter or balm on Amazon. It is organic and will soothe and repair any cracks.

When you should call the vet

There are certain things to look out for which really demand a call into your vet. Your Great Dane’s cold could get worse, with the following signs:

• Your Great Dane has started to cough.
• Your Great Dane stops taking on fluids.
• Your Great Dane appears to be in constant pain.
• Your Great Dane has a rattling chest sound.

If it’s an older Great Dane or puppy, I wouldn’t even wait this long. With the slightest sign of a cold, I would call a vet for advice. They are more susceptible in these ages to develop colds in winter temperatures.

Here’s how one vet said they would treat a Great Dane with a cold:

“We often have owners bring their dogs in during wintertime. It’s peak time for sure. We treat Great Danes with colds just like we do any other dog; with a small course of antibiotics. This works by killing bacteria and helping them build up their immune system until their cold has subsided.”

Conclusion

Great Danes in cold weather don’t really work out too well. These guys need warmth in the winter, so please be careful at this time of year when snow, ice, and colder temperatures become the norm.

As a breed, they are one of the most at risk when it comes to cold weather intolerance.

Whilst Great Danes can tolerate cold weather to a degree, there is a tipping point at which you should pay more attention – you can see those temperature ranges in the graphic higher up in this guide.

You might also like…

I’ve written other guides to help you look after your Great Dane, here’s a selection of the most recent.

• How to tell your Great Dane loves you
• When you can expect a Great Dane to calm down

Image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/jYBtuN6aKg0

The post Great Dane Cold Weather Guide: How to Keep a Great Dane Warm in Winter appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Firstly, I am sure your Great Dane loves you a lot, so please don’t worry. Secondly, I wanted to put together a list of signs to look out for so you can tell if your Great Dane is happy or not. Firstly, a quick explainer though on Great Dane love and happiness…

How do I know if my Great Dane is happy? There are lots of ways you can tell a Great Dane is happy and loves you including wiggly bottoms, a relaxed body, being playful, a good appetite and no destructive behavior. These and more are how you know your Great Dane loves you and is happy.

How can I tell if my Great Dane is happy and loves me?

If you’ve been out for a while and come through the door to an excitable Great Dane jumping up at you, that’s a sign your Great Dane loves you. But aside from the obvious, what else should you be looking out for?

Here’s my top list of signs on how to know your Great Dane loves you.

1. Your Great Dane has what appears to be a smile

Great Dane will often relax their mouth, lips, and tongues to give you what looks like a happy grin. It’s a smile where their lips curl up, their eyes soften, and their tongue pops out.

2. Your Great Dane does bottom wiggles and tail wags

Great Danes will wag their tails when they are in the mood. What you will also notice how they love to wiggle their bum when happy.

If you come home through your door to be greeted by a shuffling, butt-wiggling pooch, you can be sure your Great Dane loves you and is happy as Larry.

Handy Hint: Dog will also roll on their backs and wiggle about when happy.

3. Your Great Dane gives you the big puppy dog eyes

Great Dane have some of the most expressive eyes of any dog, and not just because of the unique appearance. Like all dogs, they can give you the classic puppy dog eyes, which is a sign of a happy Great Dane.

But why do dogs do this?

There’s actually some science behind it; apparently dogs have developed the ability to make your heart melt with a simple gaze as part of their domestic evolution. It’s a response behavior as dogs know it triggers a positive response in humans.

Happy dogs will relax their eyes, angry and scared dogs will narrow their eyes. So, if you see those soft Great Dane eyes, you know yours is happy and loves you – even more so if they just stare at you constantly, even as you sleep at night.

5. Your Great Dane shows no aggression

Unhappy Great Danes will be aggressive and will show their teeth. Whilst they might be small, they can still snarl, put their ears back slightly, and act defensively.

6. Your Great Dane has a relaxed body

Loving and happy Great Danes will be relaxed, and you will visibly see this in their body. A Great Dane that loves you will show happiness with a relaxed body including those bum wiggles I mentioned earlier.

If you have ever seen one of those Great Dane happy dances where their whole body starts wiggling, you will know what I mean. On the other hand, a rigid body is a sign of stress.

7. Your Great Dane has plenty of reasons to play

Playful Great Danes are happy Great Danes. If you have a Great Dane who doesn’t want to play, then get him checked out by a vet. Keep a keen eye on his activity levels and food intake.

It’s also one of the best signs to look for to see if your Great Dane loves you. They will come up to you and try to initiate a game of play; that could be fetch, ball, tug of war, tickles, you name it.

For recommendations on what your Great Dane should play with, take a look at these Great Dane toy suggestions on Amazon.

8. Your Great Dane does not exhibit destructive behavior

Unhappy Great Danes can be destructive. When stressed and sad they will chew, bite and destroy anything in sight. This should not be confused with your puppy’s teething stage though when it’s completely natural or them to want to chew things.

One of the more common reasons for destructive behavior is separation anxiety. Dogs thrive on human company – being left home alone can have a huge impact on the way they behave.

If you are out at work, or even away from home for a couple of hours, you might come back to a scene of destruction. This can include barking, digging holes, chewing, tearing, ripping and other bad behavior.

To mitigate this, and to make your Great Dane love you more, make sure you keep your Great Dane active and exercised, play with them, and consider how long you might be leaving them home alone.

We bought a Furbo dog camera for when we go out. You can buy a Furbo on Amazon; they are great for dog separation anxiety… and will make your Great Dane happy.

10. Your Great Dane has a healthy appetite

You can tell your Great Dane is happy if he’s eating well.

Dogs who lose their appetite, act lethargic, and are reluctant to play and more often than not, sick. Your Great Dane puppy should be eating 3 small meals a day, whereas an adult should eat twice daily.

Handy Hint: Happy dogs will respond to their name, but just how do dogs learn their name in the first place?

11. Your Great Dane sticks their tongue out

Whilst there is a condition called hanging tongue which can result from neurological and structural defects, a little tongue poking out can signal happiness.

You might notice it when your Great Dane is asleep. The tongue poking out means that are completely relaxed and in a happy state.

The next time your Great Danes tongue stick out, it could be a sign they are totally relaxed, content and happy with life.

12. Your Great Dane has a healthy coat

A healthy coat means a happy dog… well, in most cases. But in all seriousness, a heathy looking coat is usually a sign that most is alright with your Great Dane. When your Great Dane’s in great shape, he or she will definitely love you for it.

On the flip side, a stressed-out Great Dane can lose their hair. Signs to look out for include flaky skin, obvious signs of hair loss, and excessive scratching. If you do see this, it’s unlikely that you Great Dane is happy.

13. Your Great Dane wants to be close to you

When a Great Dane leans into you, it’s a sign that they love you and are happy with everything you are doing as their owner. You please them so they want to get up close and personal!

14. Your Great Dane follows you like a shadow

When you have earned the trust of your Great Dane, you will soon notice that they follow everywhere, from room to room, the bathroom, and even if you shift on the couch.

As I mentioned earlier, Great Danes can suffer with separation anxiety, so keeping close and following you around makes them feel secure. Great Danes love to follow their owners; it’s one way for a Great Dane to show it loves you.

New Great Danes soon become very attached to their owners and will fall in love with you quickly providing you give them security they need.

15. Your Great Dane will give you Great Dane kisses

How do I know if my Great Dane loves me? Could it be any clearer than with a big sloppy a kiss?

Great Danes show affection to their owners by getting their nose and mouth up close to yours and administering their version of a kiss. It’s not a lip thing, instead getting their face right into yours and doing some rapid-fire sniffing or a lick.

But, play safe with this one. You don’t really want to encourage your Great Dane to lick your mouth, despite how much it shows they love you and are happy for you to be their master.

16. Your Great Dane will bring you their toys

If your Great Dane keeps bringing toys to you, it’s a dog way of showing you love and affection. If it’s your Great Dane’s favorite toy, you can’t get a higher recommendation than this!

Why? It’s their way of wanting to play with you, but also showing that you are the leader of the pack. By offering you their well-loved toys, it means they trust you to be responsible for their favorite possessions.

If your Great Dane gives you a toy, it means your Great Dane is happy and loves you. After all, if they share that toy, it means they want you to like and enjoy it just as much as they do.

Sharing is caring, and it’s one way of telling your Great Dane is happy for you to be in their life.

17. Your Great Dane will yawn back at you

You must have seen a friend or family member yawning back at you when you do one. This is a biological response triggered by empathy, leading to contagious yawns.

However, a recent study I found on ScientificAmerican.com explains that dogs also do this. But interestingly, they only tend to yawn back at their owners, and not strangers – because it’s all based on empathy.

If you do see your little dog yawning when you do, you know your Great Dane loves you.

18. Your Great Dane will raise their eyebrows

This isn’t an easy sign to see but can still be a very subtle way for your Great Dane to show that they love you. I’ve personally not seen this in my own dogs, but did read about a study in Japan that founds when owners walk into a room, their dog will raise their eyebrows

The research found that dogs don’t do this with strangers though, only their close humans. That means if you walk into your lounge and your Great Dane looks at your and raises an eyebrow, he’s bound to be happy and love you unconditionally.

19. Your Great Dane will want to jump up on you

I know we’re meant to train our dogs not to jump up, but it’s still one way in which your Great Dane shows how affectionate they are to you.

Whilst jumping up can be an adorable trait with a Great Dane puppy, as they get older it’s can be problem behavior you should not really encourage.

20. Your Great Dane will roll over

If your Great Dane rolls over in front of you and asks for a belly rubbing, it’s a sure sign they trust and love you – not to mention being in the throes of happiness!

When a dog rolls onto his back and exposes his belly, it means they trust you as they make themselves vulnerable. This is classic submissive behavior that only secure and happy Great Danes will display.

21: Your Great Dane will let out a little sigh

Great Danes can make little noises that let you tell they love you or they are in a happy mood.

For example, there’s one sound that shows your Great Dane is happy to be around you. It’s a little sigh of content. Some have compared it to a low moan, and it tends to happen when your Great Dane is settling down to relax.

If your Great Dane does this in your company it means they feel safe and happy around you, with no worries over threats.

Signs of a depressed Great Dane

I’ve already touched on a number of factors in my guide to Great Dane happiness, but what should you look out for if your Great Dane isn’t happy, but instead has depression?

Here are some signals that could point towards Great Dane depression:

• Growling and aggressive behavior.
• Narrowed eyes.
• Lack of appetite.
• Increasing panting.
• Howling and whining.
• Indoor urination and/or defecation.
• Fearful behavior such as cowering and hiding.
• Destructive behavior including chewing.
• Overall disobedience.
• Lack of interest in playing and their toys.
• Disturbed or irregular sleep patterns.
• Too much sleep compared to usual.
• Excessive licking of themselves.
• No longer responding to love and affection.

Conclusion

Some people will get a dog without really thinking about the commitment involved. Raising a healthy and happy Great Dane can be very hard work.

But how do you know if your Great Dane is happy?

Well, I’ve detailed what I believe to be the main signs, but the bottom line is this; are they happy to see you, content, and healthy. If they are, your Great Dane probably loves you and will do as long as you keep your side of the bargain up.

You might also like…

• How much money you need to spend on feeding a Great Dane every year
• The age at which most Great Danes tend to calm down
• How to keep a Great Dane warm in cold winters

Image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/Q17J4hmTd2k

The post How Do I Know My Great Dane Loves Me & is Happy? (21 Reasons) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Are Great Danes calm dogs? I would say Great Dane puppies are not calm (as a sweeping generalisation) but they tend to become gentle giants of dogs, calming down around the age of 2 years. This lack of calmness during the puppy period of a Great Dane is primarily because they were bred as working dogs

This means that Great Danes are literally built for chasing, catching, and jumping and other high levels of athletic activity. Nothing calm about that I am sure you will agree!

This means that naturally, Great Danes have a lot more energy than your average dog and, as a result, are a lot more hyperactive and quite low down on the calm scale particularly when younger.

Great Danes aren’t always hyper though and some can be calm… but there are a lot of facets involved. For example, a Great Dane’s level of hyperactivity will vary dramatically depending on their age and how you have trained and adapted them in your home.

When do Great Dane puppies calm down? When a Great Dane reaches one year old, you should expect them to calm down a lot over the subsequent 6 to 12 months up to the age of 2. Although your Great Dane may continue to be hyper after two years, it will never be to the same extent of them in their adolescent age. Again, this is a generalisation.

To learn more about the average Great Dane’s hyperactivity and the best ways you can calm them down, and whether neutering them can have an effect, read on!

The causes of a hyper Great Dane who won’t calm down

There are many reasons why your Great Dane might seem overly hyperactive, but some of the most common factors and causes are listed below.

1. Immaturity

Great Danes are an interesting breed, because whilst they can physically mature very quickly, but inside they’ve still got the mind of a puppy!

It can take some time for your Great Dane’s mental maturity to catch up with their physical maturity, and a lot of the time your dog might be full of seemingly limitless energy because they have not yet fully developed the capacity to self-regulate their energy levels.

Their hyperactivity peaks and troughs throughout their life, so below is a rough guide:

2 to 4 months

At this age, your Great Dane will be very excited and fascinated by everything. They’ll be moderately hyper, but will have a significant lack in focus, and it isn’t uncommon for them to be full of energy one minute and crashing the next during this stage of development.

4-12 months

This is probably the age where your Great Dane will be the most hyper it will ever be. It will have a lot of pent-up energy, so it is important that they have plenty of opportunity to healthily release it via exercise or playtime. If not, you risk instilling harmful behaviour patterns.

12 to 24 months

Your Great Dane will still be moderately hyper at this stage, but this is the period where most Great Dane owners will notice a turning point. Yes, your Great Dane will still appear more hyper than the average dog at this time, and this is because the gap between the physical and the mental development is most pronounced.

But, with patience and plenty of means to healthily expel of excess energy, you can feel assured that at this stage, your Great Dane will calm down considerably.

24 months+

Another notable benchmark many Great Dane owners mention is around two and a half years. This should be the time where the mental development starts to match up with the physical development of your dog, meaning that now they can be considered as fully being in the ‘adult’ stage.

They will still have their moments, but at this point they will ideally have an established routine and exercise regime that keeps their energy levels at bay.

8 years+

This is the stage at which a Great Dane can be considered as being a senior dog. When they get to this age, they will be a lot more inclined to relax and snooze as opposed to charging around, but you should still keep up with their exercise.

2. A lack of physical and mental stimulation

As we have seen from the above, the key to controlling a hyperactive Great Dane is routine – this can have a huge calming effect. Their routine should involve plenty of exercise that not only challenges their body, but their mind too.

Great Danes should have 30 to 45 minutes of vigorous exercise each day as well as more intense cardio exercises 1 to 2 times a week. If your walks are shorter or you’re skipping out on the cardio, it is likely that your Great Dane isn’t expelling as much energy as it needs to, which then manifests in more hyperactive behaviour.

The same can be said, in turn, for a lack of mental stimulation. Great Danes, as hunting hounds, are incredibly intelligent creatures. Subsequently, if they aren’t intellectually challenged, they will get hyper and restless and won’t calm down easily.

There are many easy ways to mentally stimulate your dog, such as teaching them tricks and commands or providing them with interactive toys where they have to work for their treats.

This should be done regularly, and with the right combination of physical and mental exercise, you will most likely see an improvement in your Great Danes’ behaviour and temperament.

They just need to be challenged in order to calm down.

3. A lack of attention

All dogs need love, and Great Danes are especially affectionate, widely renowned for their good temperament and status as the ideal family dog. It is important to take the time to play with your Great Dane, even if it’s a quick game of fetch for fifteen minutes or a few cuddles and treats. This will keep them happy, and is a sign that they then love you in return.

If your Great Dane feels lonely or isolated, they might begin to develop unhealthy behaviour patterns such as hyperactivity, as if they barely get any time with you, when they eventually do, they’ll likely get overexcited and overwhelmed.

4. Hyperkinesis

Also known as canine ADHD (read more on the US National Library), this condition is rare in dogs but may well be the case if your Great Dane is inexplicably hyper.

However, hyperactivity alone is not a symptom of hyperkinesis. Other symptoms of hyperkinesis include:

• Attention seeking behaviour.
• Short attention spans.
• Impulsive nature.

So, if your Great Dane is always hyper, and these behaviours are displayed alongside some of these other seemingly inexplicable symptoms, it is a good idea to take them to the you’re your vet will be able to diagnose and treat with a combination of medication and specialist training.

How to calm down your Great Dane

If your Great Dane is always hyper, here’s what to do. There are several steps you can take in order to tackle that behaviour in a positive, long-term manner.

• Teach your Great Dane tricks: it will make them more disciplined, occupy their mind and provide them with some much-needed mental stimulation.
• Offer them breaks from playing: and provide them with an area to retreat as mentioned, Great Danes struggle to self-regulate, so encouraging them to rest and giving them an area to associate with relaxation helps them to learn to develop healthy boundaries.
• Make their exercise more challenging: when on walks, trying using an extended lead so they are free to run, or maybe set up some jumps or hoops in your yard to encourage their inner athlete!
• Reassess their current routine: as mentioned above, if your Great Dane seems unusually hyperactive, you should ask yourself whether they are getting the appropriate amount of physical and mental exercise. Great Danes thrive on routine, so if they are getting less than what is recommended, the simple answer to is up their activity and make a new routine! You’ll definitely see the difference within a week.
• Consider neutering: whilst this isn’t a quick fix, if neutered early, your Great Dane might calm down and not grow up to be as hyper. More on this in the next section.

Handy Hint: Here’s why your Great Dane gets the zoomies and starts running about like crazy.

Do Great Danes calm down after neutering?

There’s a common belief that Great Danes calm down after neutering. Whilst there is some degree of truth to this statement, it’s not always the case. It will depend on the age they get neutered, and what behaviours they might have already learned to enjoy.

The reason the answer isn’t as clear cut as you might think, we need to understand the effects of neutering. Not only does the removal of the male Great Dane’s testicles render him infertile, but it will also prevent him from producing testosterone.

A Great Dane with no testosterone can display some subtle behavioural changes. But that doesn’t mean he will necessarily get calmer, and here’s why…

At around 6 months old, the testosterone levels in a male Great Dane puppy will rise dramatically. This can lead to behavioural issues such as:

• Increased aggression.
• Increased self-confidence.
• Increased risk taking.
• Increased fear response.
• Increased territorial behavior (such as urine marking).
• Increased sex drive.
• Increased desire to roam.
• Reduced ability to calm down.

Based on that, you would assume that by neutering your Great Dane, he should calm down. That would make to sense anyone reading this, but it’s a little more complicated than that.

For example, if you neuter a Great Dane before he hits the puberty stage where the testosterone levels jump, it’s probable that he won’t exhibit the issues listed above.

However, if you neuter your Great Dane after this point, he will have learned those behaviours, and possibly found them fun and exciting. As a result, even after neutering and with a lack of testosterone, he could still exhibit these behaviours, rather than calming down.

But, it’s still important to understand that your hyper Great Dane could be acting the way he is due to his libido. And this is one thing that neutering will definitely have a calming effect on – no matter what the age of your dog.

Here’s what vets say you might expect after neutering:

• Libido driven behaviour will definitely reduce.
• Aggression could reduce.
• Territorial behaviour could reduce.

It’s unlikely that your Great Dane’s personality will be changed dramatically. He is probably still going to be a happy dog but could still display hyper tendencies!

So, to conclude, neutering can calm a Great Dane down sometimes and if the hyper behaviour is related to sex drive and if done before a puberty. However, if neutering is done at an older age, their hyper habits could be harder to break!

Handy Hint: What is worth knowing though, is that it’s known that neutering a dog can increase their life expectancy.

Conclusion

With their fast-going and hyperactive nature, Great Danes need owners who are patient and who can keep up.

Although it can be intense looking after a Great Dane sometimes, you just need to be resilient, receptive and have faith that things will calm down as and when they get older.

You might also like…

You can read all about Great Danes in this section, or choose some of the most popular content on this breed.

• How much the food bill for your Great Dane will cost you every year!
• How much money you will need to keep a Great Dane for life
• The Great Dane cold weather guide

Image in header via https://unsplash.com/photos/Of2r5d4rQIs

The post When Do Great Danes Calm Down? + Neutering Effects on Hyper Behavior appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Your Great Dane might get the zoomies after a bath, towards the end of the day, at night, when playing outdoors, after they have done a poop, or perhaps for no obvious reason at all.

It’s almost as if an invisible switch has been flicked, and your Great Dane is suddenly running back and forth and around in circles all over the place. These occasional absurd bursts of energy are often referred to as the zoomies… and for good reason too.

Why do Great Danes get the zoomies? Great Danes get the zoomies and will run around like crazy in circles often to get rid of any excess energy. Great Danes also get zoomies to relieve stress. It’s normal canine behavior knowns as frenetic random activity periods (FRAPS).

Why do Great Danes run around like crazy?

Great Danes run around in circles like crazy with the frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs) frequently. Also known as the zoomies, they are frantic, repetitive behavioral episodes caused by excess buildup of energy.

The zoomies or FRAPS most commonly occur in Great Dane puppies and younger dogs, but it can also happen in Great Danes of all ages.

High-energy, active dogs such as Great Dane may have more zoomies than less active breeds. Senior dogs that still get the zoomies will likely live very long lives—zoomies are actually sign of very good health and nothing to be overly concerned about… providing your dog isn’t hurting themself.

Unfortunately, there is no scientific explanation about why zoomies occur. Still, it’s an accepted fact that it’s all down to excess energy that’s been building up in your dog over several hours. Every dog reacts differently to this energy buildup, so it’s difficult to predict how and when he will get the zoomies.

Great Dane zoomies can be triggered at certain times of the day or after a specific activity. Anecdotally, many Great Danes get zoomies after they’ve had to stay still for a bath or after spending many hours in a crate.

Great Dane zoomies can also be triggered by stressful situations like a vet visit, too. Sometimes a dog meeting another dog can trigger a bout of excess energy release.

Great Danes who get the zoomies usually seem like they’re having the time of their lives. It’s completely natural, normal, happy dog behavior that shouldn’t be a cause of alarm.

Just give your Great Dane the room to run around without running into furniture or other dangerous objects.

However, suppose you notice that your Great Dane has been getting the zoomies much more often than he used to. In that case, it’s a good idea to keep a closer eye on him and determine precisely what he’s reacting to.

Frequent zoomies can be a sign that your Great Dane is not getting enough exercise. This can be resolved by going on longer or more frequent walks.

When Great Dane zoomies happen most

Owners can often tell when their Great Dane is just about to get the zoomies. He or she will get a glint in their eyes, they might assume the play-bow position, and they start jumping around in small bursts before full-on running around in big circles or running up and down corridors in your home like crazy.

Great Dane zoomies hit at seemingly any point of the day, and for one reason or another. There are a few occasions where they you are more likely toyou’re your Great Dane get the zoomies though.

• After your dog has had a poop.
• When there’s high winds whistling around him outdoors.
• When you have “wound” him up with play in doors.
• After a bath and you are trying to dry him.
• Before bedtime or late at night.

My Great Dane zoomies after a bath

Your Great Dane gets the bath time zoomies happen due of the pent-up adrenaline from having to sit still for so long, or because running around will dry their fur faster.

You will have seen this behavior I am sure; once he thinks he has the all-clear, he will jump out of the bath, start shaking the water off, then make a break for it.

If your dog is anything like ours, it pays to shut the bathroom door, so he doesn’t get the chance to soak the corridors in your home.

My Great Dane zoomies before bed or late at night

Some Great Dane puppies get the zoomies right before bedtime as a final energy release before settling in for the night.

Perhaps he didn’t get as much exercise he needed, and also knows he needs to get rid of that energy so he can sleep better.

Other reasons why Great Danes get the zoomies

Some Great Danes get the zoomies right after an extended training session, once they’re free to take out their built-up nervous energy. Sometimes even a good poop can send a Great Dane into running like crazy in ever more excited circles.

Zoomies are especially common in winter when it’s too cold to do more than do their dog business when out for a walk. There’s no other way to release pent-up energy but to run around in tight circles like crazy for a few minutes at a time.

Some Great Danes get so excited that their zoomies include nipping or biting behavior. If this happens, redirect his energy by engaging him in a game of tug of war, fetch, or by presenting his favorite toy.

How do you calm a Great Dane with the zoomies?

When your Great Dane runs around like crazy, expect the zoomies to normally last around five minutes or less. If so, there’s nothing to worry about as long as your Great Dane is zooming in a safe place.

Instead of trying to control the zoomies (almost impossible to do), you can control the environment wherein he zooms.

The best zoomie locations are in any wide-open spaces you may have in your home: a fenced yard, an expansive garden, on a carpet away from breakable items and small children.

Avoid letting your Great Dane zoom on slick surfaces or your hardwood floors.

Don’t ever chase after a Great Dane with the zoomies. A chase will likely be misinterpreted as an attempt to play and will only excite him further. If you need to catch your zooming dog, go the opposite way and try to make him chase you. Encourage him to follow you into a safer area, and give him a toy or a treat when he does. Teaching your dog and regularly practicing the “come” command can help get your Great Dane to follow you.

If your Great Dane is zooming a bit more wildly than can be contained, you can try to redirect their energy by throwing them a toy. If your dog has good recall, he will come to you once the worst of the zoomies calm down.

Handy Hint: Here’s what to expect in your Great Dane puppy’s development with regards to the hyper behavior slowing down to a more calm situation.

Are Great Dane zoomies dangerous?

As long as their environment is safe, it’s alright to just let your Great Dane’s zoomies run their course. Zoomies won’t give your dog seizures or cause emotional or physical problems.

Even if they seem very clumsy as they zoom, dogs usually don’t hurt themselves. Zoomies are only dangerous because unpredictable energy bursts can increase the chances of a physical accident or breaking china.

However, if your Great Dane has a long history of being very low-key and calm, and he suddenly starts to run around like crazy in wide circles every day, a trip to the vet may be necessary.

This behavior change could signify a health problem, especially if nothing in your family routine has changed to cause so much excess energy.

Any significant change in your dog’s zooming behavior may mean he’s not getting enough physical or mental stimulation.

Compulsive behavior like chasing shadows or continuous tail chasing may be concerning enough to consult an animal behaviorist to better understand the reasons behind this behavior.

I would also like to draw your attention to the comments of Dr Marc Bekoff from the University of Colorado. Here’s what he says about the dangers of the FRAPS and zoomies on the on the Psychology Today website, and whether you should let your dog do it.

“My answer is always something like, yep, as long as you’re sure that she or he won’t harm themselves or others and it’s done in a safe area. And, it’s essential for a human to know their dog and to remain alert when either the dog or other individuals are in the path of a frapper fugue and potentially can be harmed.”

How to stop your dog’s zoomies

When it comes to zoomies, prevention is the best medicine. You may be able to reduce the frequency of your Great Dane’s zoomies by challenging your dog physically.

Your dog may need much more stimulation than he’s currently receiving. Release that pent-up energy with a long hike instead of a short neighborhood walk.

If your Great Dane gets the bath time zoomies, perhaps a vigorous game of tug of war or a long walk before his bath will lead to a nap instead?

Your dog may need more mental stimulation, too. Bored Great Danes are more prone to the zoomies. A short training session every day will develop good habits and be great exercise for your dog’s mind.

Conclusion

Whilst there is no absolute scientific evidence to explain why Great Danes get the zoomies and run around like crazy, we can make assumptions as described above.

The zoomies are unlikely to harm your Great Dane, but if you do want to reduce them, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

You might also like…

• How much the average Great Dane will eat
• How much it will cost to buy and keep a Great Dane
• How you can tell that your Great Dane is truly happy and loves you

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/great-dane-dog-jump-dogs-3011826/

The post Why Do Great Danes Get the Zoomies & Run Around Like Crazy? appeared first on DoggySaurus.

Great Danes are famous for their imposing size, but in all reality are one of the gentlest breeds that you will ever encounter. They have a docile nature and bumbling personality, making them a great family dog

However, their sheer bulk can scare off many potential owners, particularly when you begin to think about how much a Great Dane will cost each year. Here’s a very quick answer about how much you can expect to pay out in annual ownership costs, followed by a more in-depth analysis.

How much does a Great Dane cost? Great Danes can cost between $1,500 to $4,500 (£1,200 to £3,500) to buy. The annual costs of ownership each year can then amount to around $2,200 (£1,750) each year in vet bills, food, grooming, and keeping them healthy and happy. 

How much is costs to buy and keep a Great Dane

Truth be told, I didn’t consider the cost of a Great Dane, beyond the initial purchase price, when we first got one. I know this might sound ridiculous; however, our family has always had large Mastiff type dogs, so it was assumed that maintenance expenses would be about the same.

That wasn’t the case, Great Danes cost a lot of money!

To give you a better grasp of the costs involved with owning a Great Dane, I have highlighted below some of the expenses to consider based on what we spend each year.

The cost of buying a Great Dane

Initial cost of buying a Great Dane puppy: $1500 to $4,500 (£1,200 to £3,500)

The purchase price for a Great Dane can be anywhere from $1,500 to $4,500 (£1,200 to £3,500). Factors that can affect the purchase price include the reputation of the breeder, whether it is a show-quality puppy, the dog’s gender, colouring and age.

Due to supply and demand, the more sought-after colours such as merle or harlequin tend to be more expensive.  Be incredibly wary of adopting a white Great Dane as not only is this not a recognized breed colour by the UK Kennel Club, but these dogs also are prone to genetic health issues.

Please do extensive research and ensure that you are getting a Great Dane puppy from a reputable breeder. This may mean that you need to be put on a waiting list for an upcoming litter but your new bouncing, bumbling fur-baby will be worth the wait.

It will also mean that your Great Dane costs more, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind.

Never, ever, purchase a dog of any breed from a place which looks like a puppy mill or from a puppy broker. Clues to avoid these places of ill-repute would be selling of multiple dog breeds, not being able to see the facilities, or the puppy parents or siblings.

If you would prefer to adopt than shop, then consider getting in touch with Daneline. They have an ever-present need for finding foster homes and fur-ever homes for Great Danes who would otherwise be put into shelters.

If you are an experienced dog owner but have never had a Great Dane before, and feel that this is the breed for you, then it may be possible to start by fostering one and seeing if the breed is a good fit for your household.

By fostering you can see exactly how much a Great Dane costs you in food and on-going care for a shorter period of time before you buy.

The costs of things your Great Dane will need

Initial cost – $380 (£300) then annual costs – $51 (£40)

Before you bring your Great Dane home, you’ll need to get the usual supplies that any dog would need – just expect to supersize them all.

A dog collar, lead, water and food bowls, toys, bed and crate, should all be considered essential and standard. Items people often don’t think about though would be something like a raised food and water bowl (view on Amazon) as they are better for the height of Great Danes and will aid their digestion.

Our Great Dane loved her chew toys, and I loved the fact that they were worth the money since they saved our furniture being shredded.

To put things in perspective though, our Great Dane managed to strip the outer layer of a reinforced fabric covered Kong toy in 24 hours that our Schnauzer has had for eight years.  It’s teething on a whole new level!

We had to buy very durable dog chew toys, like these ones on Amazon.

I am a big promoter of crate training any dog breed, but even more so with a Great Dane.  The simple truth is that not everyone is going to understand how much of a big softie they are, so if your dog is comfortable being in their crate, then it will make your life a lot easier.

Although most Great Danes are excellent with children, and our son is often caught spooning on the dog bed, we have friends with two-year-olds that don’t enjoy being whacked in the face by a dog’s whip-like tail.

If properly trained, a dog’s crate is like their own place of refuge where they will want to chill.  A large dog bed (view on Amazon) is also a winning investment to save cleaning your couches and rugs.

How much it costs to board a Great Dane in kennels

Depending on needs – $44+ (£35+) per day

Boarding your Great Dane can be a bit of a mission because of their size and this can also make boarding expensive, costing more in some cases.  As such, you might want to consider a pet sitting service if you go away.

In this case, your dog can stay with a pet sitter in their house, which allows for more love and attention. The pet sitter will also stick to your dog’s regular exercise and feeding routine.

Prices vary depending on the breed of dog and where you are located.  Initial registration is about $50, and then daily boarding starts from $44 plus collection and delivery fees if required.

How much it costs to groom a Great Dane

Initial cost – ($32) (£25)

Great Danes require very little grooming, so on this front, this breed is very cheap to maintain. They should be brushed at least once a week, which will help with shedding and will keep their coat in good condition.

I love this Kong rubber brush on Amazon. It’s super easy to use and works like a dream for short-haired dogs with regards to brushing and shampooing.

You will also need to trim your Great Dane’s nails about once a month on average with either canine nail clippers or a nail grinder and make sure that their ears are free of debris.

All in all, pretty straightforward.

How much it costs to feed a Great Dane each year

Annual – about $1,800 (£1,400)

It is essential to feed your Great Dane a high-quality puppy food that is specially formulated for a large or giant breed. Since this dog can appear to grow before your very eyes, you will want to watch the amount of protein they ingest and the amount of exercise that they do, when they are puppies.

If they gain weight too fast, then this can exacerbate conditions relating to their musculoskeletal system.

Your Great Dane will never say no to a treat, and these offer excellent incentives during puppy training and throughout their life.  Since their head is designed to be at the perfect countertop level, a Great Dane will quickly train their owners to keep food hidden away in the kitchen.

Trust me, when you let your guard down, your Great Dane will be quick to swipe the remainder of the pot roast and slink away with stealth-like skill.

Handy Hint: Read this guide which explains how much Great Danes are likely to eat each year which will bring the costs more into focus for you.

As a Great Dane is especially prone to bloat, it is best to split their food into three separate meals. By adulthood, you can expect this dog to eat about six cups of dry kibble per day; however, there is some variance in this as male dogs tend to be bigger and therefore need to eat a bit more.

As a rough rule of thumb, you should just see their last rib – if you can see any more then they need a bit more food and if you can’t see this last rib, then they need a bit less.

How much in vet bills Great Danes can cost

Annual Plan – $400 (£312) plus as needed

An initial course of puppy vaccinations is about $88; however, many veterinary practices offer a puppy pack which includes items such as the first course of vaccinations, three months’ worth of flea and worm treatment, and microchipping.

I spoke to Dr Carla Puime Costoya from Bristol Emersons Green Vets 4 Pets, and she recommends their Best Start in Life plan as it includes the above, as well as a store discount voucher and discount on future neutering needs.

Annual vaccinations are in the range of $60 though again, you may find it best to opt for a yearly payment plan such as the Complete Care Health Plan offered by Vets 4 Pets.

The once-off bill for spaying your Great Dane will be in the range of $400 while castration will be around $260.

There are several pet insurance options on the market so you might want to consider this into your expense of owning a Great Dane to avoid any surprises later on.

So, we’ve worked out that after the initial outlay of buying a Great Dane and purchasing supplies, it costs around $2,200 per year to keep a Great Dane.

A small price to pay for a whole lot of love.

The hidden costs of keeping a Great Dane

There’s something I wanted to add as some final thoughts, and what I consider to be hidden costs relating to keeping Great Danes.

This breed takes up a lot of physical space simply due to their size. Yet, believe it or not, a Great Dane is known to be suited for apartment life since they have a relatively low exercise requirement.

At least, this is what the ‘experts’ say.

In reality, I can easily see a mature Great Dane being content lounging in an apartment because much of the day they prefer to sleep and chillax.

However, a Great Dane puppy, up to about eighteen months of age, is just like a bull in a china shop.  They are oblivious to the destruction that their tail can leave in their wake (and why my husband now covers the family jewels when the dog passes by).

A fenced yard is always great for a dog, but if you are comfortable to take them to a dog park at least twice a day for a brisk half-hour walk, then this would suffice.

Just as I doubt you would buy a new home to accommodate a Great Dane, nor do I think you would go out of your way to buy a new car, but hey, maybe your budget stretches a little more than mine.

If you intend to take your Great Dane out for a car ride, which includes ever taking them to the vet, then you’ll need something big enough for them to get into which will likely be a hatchback SUV or similar.

Conclusion

Our family has a harlequin Great Dane, that is covered in black and white splodges like a Jersey cow and has the additional quirk of one blue, and one dark brown, eye.

Oreo, as she is aptly named, would scare off anyone from our home and we do notice that the pace of passing pedestrians is noticeably increased when they get to our yard.

However, she is most likely to bowl them over and force them to give her pats and affection.

The bottom line is; our Great Dane costs a lot of money to keep, and in truth far more than we would ever expect!

You might also like:

• Why Great Danes run about like crazy with the zoomies
• Here’s when you can finally expect your Great Dane puppy to calm down

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/great-dane-dog-lying-animal-pet-3387239/

The post How Much Does a Great Dane Cost (+ Per Year Ownership Costs)? appeared first on DoggySaurus.

To get to the bottom of this I asked a friend of mine who owns Great Danes to write the following explainer on how much a Great Dane eats to give you a real-life example. Here’s how she described her Great Dane’s eating habits, but with her short answer first.

How much does a Great Dane eat? As a general rule of thumb, adult Great Danes will eat 6 to 10 cups of food daily, with Great Dane puppies eating 3 to 8 cups of food each day. It will change depending on dog’s gender, so continue reading to how it splits for males and females.

I’ve also included a Great Dane feeding chart which you can see lower down the page to print off and keep.

How much does a Great Dane eat per day?

In our house, we have a Harlequin Great Dane that looks like the result of a romance between a black and white Jersey cow and a dog. Our Great Dane is appropriately named Oreo and she stands a good sight taller on her hind legs than my 6-foot 1-inch husband.

This two-legged behaviour is generally in her desperation to get out of the door when there is the slightest clap of thunder, and she has also been known to hurdle through an open window like it was a mere step.

I may be diverging from my intending topic, but I wanted to initially showcase exactly how great in size that a Great Dane actually is because it can be hard to fathom if you are used to a toy breed… and your food bill is going to be significantly bigger!

I get asked a lot about our Great Dane and how much she needs to eat each day, week, and month. The answer will likely surprise some people because although they are the tallest dog breed in the world, in my opinion Great Danes are not big eaters considering their size.

How much female Great Danes eat each day

We have a female Great Dane, and she will eat 6 to 8 cups of food a day.

Most Great Danes will reach their full stature and weight by about three years of age, and while there is no doubt that a Great Dane is giant in size, they can be a relaxed breed with a low-to-moderate level of energy. Not when they are puppies mind, during their first year, they are anything but a calm breed!

How much male Great Danes eat each day or month

Male Great Danes will typically eat more than their female counterparts, with general guidance being to feed them 8 to 10 cups of feed each day.

As with any dog, the amount of food that your Great Dane will need depends on their age, activity level and the quality of the dog food that you offer. Don’t be conned into buying inferior quality dog food, thinking that this will save you money.

Not only will you likely need to feed your dog more to get the necessary calories and nutritious, but it can also be detrimental to their health.

How much do Great Dane puppies need to eat?

It depends on the age of your Great Dane puppy and their development stages. General feeding guidelines for how much Great Dane puppies need to eat are:

• Male puppy of 3 to 6 months: 4 to 8 cups of food a day.
• Female puppy of 3 to 6 months: 3 to 6 cups of food a day.
• Male puppy of 8 to 12 months: 6 to 10 cups of food a day.
• Female puppy of 8 to 12 months: 5 to 8 cups of food a day.
• Male Great Danes of 1 to 2 years: 9 to 15 cups of food a day.
• Female Great Danes of 1 to 2 years: 8 to 12 cups of food a day.

Their food should be split into 3 servings over the day until they reach adulthood.

When they reach 1 to 2 years old, your Great Dane will eat you out of house and home, sleep a lot, and be somewhat bonkers. Depending on the size of your Dane, and whether they are male or female, don’t be surprised if your dog needs upwards of 15 cups of dry kibble daily during this time… it’s the period in their life when they eat the most.

When we picked up our Great Dane puppy at eight weeks of age, she was approximately the size of a full-grown Beagle and had the appetite of a Gremlin. Your Great Dane breeder should be able to recommend an appropriate puppy food moving forward.

Keep in mind that Great Danes are notorious for having sensitive, weak stomachs and being prone to diarrhoea so don’t change the food that they have been given by the breeder too quickly.

Great Dane puppies grow very quickly.  There’s that old cliché that parents say about how kids shoot up so fast, it’s in the blink of an eye – well, humans don’t have anything on the rate that a Great Dane can grow!  They have a lot of weight to put on over the course of the first 18 months of life… which will need a lot of food!

Handy Hint: Don’t fall into the trap of feeding your dog every time they beg. This is perfectly normal behavior, and it won’t harm them for you to say no. 

Because of this rapid growth, it is important that you feed a Great Dane puppy food that is appropriate for their size and age.

Vet recommend puppy food formulated for a giant breed will have the correct proportion of protein, fats, vitamins, nutrients and carbohydrates for a quick-growing dog. This breed is prone to muscular-skeletal conditions and joint problems which will be compounded if given incorrect food.

Great Dane feeding chart

In addition to the advice on how much you should feed a Great Dane each day from an owner, I also found this feeding chart which offers guidance too. It’s courtesy of the Royal Canin brand who have their own Great Dane dog food.

Here’s that Great Dane feeding chart in text-based format if you need to copy and paste it:

• Great Dane of 50kg: 634 grams a day / 7 cups a day.
• Great Dane of 55kg: 681 grams a day / 7.5 cups a day.
• Great Dane of 60kg: 727 grams a day / 8 cups a day.
• Great Dane of 65kg: 772 grams a day / 8.5 cups a day.
• Great Dane of 70kg: 816 grams a day / 9 cups a day.
• Great Dane of 75kg: 859 grams a day / 9 cups and 3/8s a day.
• Great Dane of 80kg: 902 grams a day / 9 cups and 7/8s a day.

Conclusion

Now you know how much a Great Dane eats each day and month, don’t forget that a Great Dane will be at the perfect height to snatch food from your kitchen counter! Chalk that one up to an expensive learning experience and always keep food out of their reach.

However, in the experience of the owner I spoke to, Great Danes are not highly food motivated, nor are they especially active so these factors play into their need for fewer calories per pound than other canine breeds than you might expect.

You might also like…

• Here’s how much it costs to keep a Great Dane happy and healthy each year
• Why Great Danes get the zoomies
• These signs mean that your Great Dane loves you

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/great-dane-portrait-dog-2793816/

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